Effingham gets ready for Hurricane Dorian

G.G. Rigsby @GGRigsby1

Sunday

Sep 1, 2019 at 4:26 PMSep 1, 2019 at 5:27 PM

Lots of planning is going on at the Effingham County Emergency Management Agency Sunday afternoon, but major decisions about closings and evacuations will have to wait until Hurricane Dorian makes its turn northward.

The Category 5 hurricane is going to sit on the Bahamas for 48 hours, EMA Director Clint Hodges said. “When it turns north, we’ll make a determination of what happens on the coast,” he said.

The turn is expected late Monday night or Tuesday morning, he said.

School officials have told parents to keep a close eye on the system’s Facebook page for announcements. School is closed Monday for Labor Day. Hodges said there might be an announcement about Tuesday school on Monday afternoon.

Traffic has been steady at the Lowe’s in Rincon but the store still has good supplies of water, generators, gas cans and batteries, according to store manager Eric Hein.

As of Sunday afternoon, the store planned to remain open normal hours through Wednesday, he said.

The storm has sustained winds of 185 mph and is moving west at eight mph.

Small showers and wind will increase through the week in Effingham as Dorian moves closer Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Government offices are closed Monday for Labor Day.

No shelters are open, but the EMA is working with local organizations to identify shelter locations to possibly open later this week.

“Don’t eat all your hurricane snacks yet,” the EMA told people on its Facebook page Saturday. Now is the time to review hurricane plans and supplies, evacuation plans, and set up well-check procedures for family and friends.

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